On Monday May 17, Iran agreed to a deal that appears likely to stave off for the moment threats of international sanctions aimed at its nuclear program. The deal involves complicated technological terms regarding different levels of uranium enrichment.

The hosts of the popular NPR show “All Things Considered” decided to seek expert help in order to explain the science of uranium to listeners, and sought out Leonard Spector, deputy director of the Monterey Institute´s James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Washington DC. Spector stepped up to the plate and explained in layman’s terms what the Iranian deal really means. Along the way, NPR listeners were enlightened about the science of uranium, in a segment called “A Chemistry Lesson on Uranium.”